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🇮🇱 Israel /Health & Science

Israeli health funds begin flu vaccination campaigns as supplies arrive gradually

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Israel’s health funds are beginning their 2026-27 flu vaccination campaigns, but clinics will receive supplies in stages during September and October.
  • Clalit ordered more than one million injectable vaccines and 25,000 nasal sprays, while Meuhedet ordered about 250,000 doses.
  • Officials urged people, especially those at risk, to book appointments and get vaccinated as soon as doses become available.

Israel’s flu vaccination campaign is starting, but not all clinics will receive supplies at once. Meuhedet Health Services received its first shipment on Thursday and expects vaccinations to begin next week, while health funds plan to expand availability as more doses arrive during September and October.

Our goal is to allow the public to get vaccinated as early as possible so that they can protect themselves and their families from the flu and its complications.

· Ronen NudelmanClalit’s deputy director-general explained the aim of the early vaccination campaign.

Officials are urging the public, particularly people at higher risk, to get vaccinated early. About 980,000 Clalit Health Services patients received flu shots last winter, while coverage among people aged 65 and older stood at about 55%.

Clalit, Israel’s largest health fund, has ordered more than one million injectable vaccines and 25,000 nasal spray doses for people aged two to 49. Because deliveries will arrive gradually, the campaign will initially focus on major clinics and designated vaccination centers before expanding nationwide.

The vaccines are arriving in Israel and at clinics gradually this year, and it is recommended to schedule an appointment in advance to get vaccinated.

· Hagar WexlerMeuhedet’s nursing director described the phased rollout.

Meuhedet has ordered about 250,000 doses, including a high-dose vaccine for people aged 65 and older, an inactivated injectable vaccine and a FluMist nasal spray vaccine for people aged two to 49. Deliveries to clinics are expected to continue gradually until Sukkot.

We expect vaccination on a more significant scale to become possible during October.

· Hagar WexlerWexler said supply expansion would allow broader vaccination later in the campaign.

Ronen Nudelman, Clalit’s deputy director-general, said, “Our goal is to allow the public to get vaccinated as early as possible so that they can protect themselves and their families from the flu and its complications.” Meuhedet nursing director Hagar Wexler advised people to schedule appointments in advance and said broader vaccination would become possible during October.

It is important to remember that the flu is not a mild illness, and last year we saw significant morbidity and a heavy burden on hospitals.

· Hagar WexlerWexler urged people not to delay vaccination once doses reach their clinics.
About this summary

Originally published by Jerusalem Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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